New Plans to Stop A19 in York From Flooding

One of York’s key arterial routes could receive much needed flood prevention works, new signalisation and improved access at key junctions, if a bid submitted by City of York Council is successful.

To protect the A19 from closure due to periods of heavy rain and high river levels, the council is seeking to secure a share of £170 million government Pinch Point Funding – designed to support local transport schemes that tackle congestion and support growth.

2012 was unusual in that the A19 had to be closed on three separate occasions, in comparison to a total of five days over the previous four years .

To address this, the council has submitted an ambitious bid for a £4.7m project. If successful, York is expected to receive approximately £2million from the Department for Transport towards the cost of the project. The remaining funding will be provided from the private sector and existing council transport budgets.

Key elements of the proposals are to introduce a new left turn free flow lane from A19 into the Designer Outlet Park & Ride; inbound bus priority lanes on the A19 between A64 and Germany Beck, and bus priorities at the Naburn Lane junction and an enhanced junction at the proposed Germany Beck development.

The scheme will complement and enhance the improvements planned to be provided as part of the Germany Beck development, which will create new access to the site and raise the height of the road to be above flood levels.

Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability said: “The A19 is a key arterial route into the city centre and we’ve seen it close three times in the last year, which causes major disruption and impacts negatively on businesses. By carrying out these flood and surface water drainage improvements on this section it will support the Germany Beck development and potential growth in the area to future proof York’s fast growing communities.

“In addition to supporting one of the largest housing developments in York, funding will also improve access to Designer Outlet Park & Ride. This should make the Park & Ride more attractive and help us to get more people out of their cars, relieving congestion and improving air quality in the Fulford Rd/Fishergate corridor which is a pollution hot spot.”